Gov. Peter Shumlin delivers a speech before the Senate adjourned at the Statehouse in Montpelier in 2013. / GLENN RUSSELL/FREE PRESS

Written by

Free Press Editorial Page Editor

A couple of bills before the Legislature could put Gov. Peter Shumlin in an politically uncomfortable position regardless of how he acts on the legislation.

The governor is against a bill that would ban the use of hand-held cellphones by drivers, falling back on “You can’t legislate common sense” to explain his opposition.

Shumlin has come out in favor of legislation that would require employers to give workers paid sick leave, a measure that has broad support in the state.

As the Free Press puts it, “In both cases, Shumlin would have some explaining to do.”

The Legislature — dominated by Democrats in both the House and the Senate — must avoid appearing to give the Democratic governor a political break as they decide the course of controversial bills.

Such a move would only reinforce the image of one party muscling its way through the Statehouse in the most partisan way possible.

Vetoing the cellphone bill would leave the governor vulnerable the next time there’s a serious accident involving a driver distracted by a mobile device.

Signing the paid-sick-leave bill could alienate members of the business community whom he has worked hard to include in his political base.

The political sweet spot for the governor lies in being able to hold his position without being pinned down by any specific action that could give fuel to opponents come election time.

Taking a stand is easy if there is little chance of having to face the consequences.

From the start of his gubernatorial run, Shumlin has billed himself as someone who makes difficult decisions and gets tough things done. Maneuvering quietly to keep inconvenient legislation from reaching his desk hardly fits the bill.

The governor has the muscle to influence what gets done in the Legislature. Shumlin should come out publicly and commit to signing or rejecting a bill that meets his specific requirements, and work to shape the legislation before it lands on his desk.

When a leader is pushed beyond his comfort zone, that’s time to show his mettle. The Legislature should give Gov. Peter Shumlin a chance to show his stuff.